Torrealba made headlines Jan. 2, when Sweetwater police said officers pulled his vehicle over on Southwest Eighth Street near 107th Avenue. They immediately searched his car and said they found no weapons. Moments later, Torrealba overheard officers talking about arresting him on outstanding warrants, and he later admitted to getting back into his car and taking off, causing a chain of accidents. Police said he then got out of the car and ran away.

Torrealba said that despite officers' claims that he fired shots at them, he did not have a gun and that officers started shooting at him, hitting him in the ear.

Torrealba has several outstanding warrants that are unrelated to the Jan. 2 incident. He has not been arrested.

Later in January, Torrealba spoke to Local 10, saying he was scared to turn himself in because he was worried officers might beat him up.

BSO did not say why Torrealba is a person of interest in Smalls' death.

Torrealba's attorney, Jim Lewis, urged his client to turn himself in.

"Mr. Torrealba, if you're hearing my voice, please give me a call or turn yourself in to the jail," Torrealba said. "I'm very afraid that any type of confrontation out on the streets with law enforcement is going to be deadly."

Lewis not only represents Torrealba, but he also once represented Smalls. In fact, the three once met together.

"I've known Mr. Smalls for probably 15 years, and I'm very sad about his demise. They were acquaintances. I don't know how friends, how much friends. I know that we need to get to the bottom of this," Lewis said.

Lewis said he does not know where Torrealba is.

"There's a lot of police out there with guns, and quite frankly, if they come into contact with him out on the street, I think it's going to be a deadly outcome," Lewis said.

Investigators said they believe Torrealba may be with his girlfriend, Dayana Garcia, who is nine months pregnant or who may have given birth recently. BSO said the couple is likely in South Florida and may be driving Garcia's silver 2009 Toyota Camry.

Anyone with information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).

Copyright 2012 by Post Newsweek. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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